The review of literature of this pandemic influenza research consist of three sub-element. The sub-elements are pattern of pandemic influenza, symptoms and effect of pandemic influenza, prevention and control measures of pandemic influenza and Malaysian governement policy and reaction towards grammar
2.1 Pattern of pandemic influenza
For the first part of literature review, we will discuss about the pattern of pandemic influenza throughout the history till the presents pandemic influenza virus. From the history, we had found that there are several types of pandemic influenza that had been attacked human starting from year 1918 (H1N1, Spanish Flu), 1957 (H2N2, Asian Flu) and 1968 (H3N2, Hong Kong Flu). (Yu C. H., Tsung Z. W., Ding P. L., Pei L. S., Luan Y. C., Chun Y. L., Chin Y. L., Fu Y. H., Li M. H., 2006) The latest pandemic influenza before Influenza A, H1N1 is H5N1 which we called as bird flu that attacked in year 2006. The same patterns of all these pandemic influenza are the characteristic, symptom and effect of this virus. But the level of seriousness of the pandemic influenza is different. From the research, they realize that the level of severity of this virus is increasing from the first pandemic influenza till the latest one (bird flu in 2006). The researcher predict that the new pandemic influenza that will be more severe than the bird flu because the virus can be transmitted between human to human compared to the previous which is bird flu (transmitted between poultry to human only). (Robin B. M., 2007) This statement has been proven by the existing pandemic influenza in 2009 which is swine flu, H1N1. The wide spread of the avian influenza are because of seasonality element. This is due to the virus which is transmitted via bird. The bird usually transfer from one place to another place when the change of season. That’s make the avian influenza are largely spread. (Andrew, W. P., Kathryn G., 2007) As the conclusion, from the past cases of pandemic influenza, we can predict what the characteristic of the future pandemic influenza is. If we can predict it earlier, the vaccine of the pandemic
2.2 Symptoms and effect of pandemic of pandemic influenza
The review is about the symptoms and effects of pandemic influenza. There are three articles altogether in this review and each of the article give the useful information in order to explain the related issues on symptoms and effect of the pandemic influenza. The pandemic influenza factsheet research on comparing symptoms and complications and with symptoms of the common cold. The symptoms of pandemic influenza are similarly as seasonal influenza. A guide from medical officer of health claimed that the symptoms appear suddenly and can include, muscle aches and pains, tiredness, loss of appetite, cough, sore throat and stuffy or runny nose. Depending on the new subtype that emerges, symptoms may be more severe and complications more widespread because nobody will have any immunity or protection against that particular virus. In his study of the pandemic influenza and health care demand, (T.J Hageenaars, 2004) found that effect of differences in timing of vaccination campaigns, and to study the impact of strategies in which anti viral are prescribed to certain groups up until the moment that a newly developed vaccine becomes available. Other than that, (T.J Hanegaars, 2004) revealed that there are some nonlinear effect such as the reduction of the transmission intensity that occurs when therapeutic antiviral use leads to a reduced duration of infectiousness and when the number of susceptible individuals is reduced through vaccination. On the other hand, the effect arises because immune individuals are not only unable to acquire the infection but also unable to pass it on to others. As for that, it can be said that the pandemic symptoms are serious than seasonal influenza and the effect of the disease can be more serious if the early prevention measure are not taken when the symptoms are clearly appear to the victim.
2.3Prevention and control measures of pandemic influenza
Research conducted in the 20th century has revealed the spread of influenza is constantly increasing and is predicted to continue increasing in the near future (Sandro Cinti,2005). Pandemic preparedness has been visible accross the world. Exposure to influenza such as type A (H1N1) requires prevention and control measures. M.E. Kitler in his research on prevention and control of influenza says that, medically vaccination has been proven to be most effective to stimulate the production of antibodies and also to reduce the replication capabilities of the virus. In addition to that, extensive experience with vaccines has demonstrated that vaccines provides good protection. On the other hand (Sandor Cinti,2005) control measures such as quarantine is said to be most efffective for the moment, delaying the spred of epidemic. Wearing mask, adequate ventilation help to equally prevent influenza spread that is airborne. On the other hand, M.E. Kitler claims that early warning through pandemic surveillance around the world is most effective in achieving early prevention and protection against such spread of influenza. In addition to that, pandemic readiness based on international, national and regional planning across the in order to develop the worlds capacity to respond to the epidemics (N.J. Cox,2003). Therefore, it can be said that prevention of such deadly spread of influenza’s is much needed to sustainthe human population. Its best said that prevention is better than cure.
2.4Malaysian government policy and reactions towards influenza
The Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia has taken some measures on preventive and control actions on the novel pandemic influenza, H1N1. Some measures such as school closure, setting up operations room for monitoring of influenza H1N1 since 26 April 2009.(MOH,2009) Government has also developed the interim guidelines on surveillance of influenza A H1N1 in Malaysia. The Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (SOEM) of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) with the collaboration of Ministry of Health(MOH) Malaysia had defined the pre-pandemic and pandemic action stage on recommedations on influenza for industry in Malaysia (MOH,SOEM, 2006). Those angencies has list down the level of influenza pandemic phase and strategic actions to be taken. This included the list of the participating designated hospitals. It is also explain the guidance provided under NIPPP for the preparedness and response needed in facing the threat of an influenza pandemic and the roles or functions of other ministries, departments and non-governmental organisations during influenza pandemic (NIPPP,2009).
The review of literature of this pandemic influenza research consist of three sub-element. The sub-elements are pattern of pandemic influenza, symptoms and effect of pandemic influenza, prevention and control measures of pandemic influenza and Malaysian governement policy and reaction towards grammar
2.1 Pattern of pandemic influenza
For the first part of literature review, we will discuss about the pattern of pandemic influenza throughout the history till the presents pandemic influenza virus. From the history, we had found that there are several types of pandemic influenza that had been attacked human starting from year 1918 (H1N1, Spanish Flu), 1957 (H2N2, Asian Flu) and 1968 (H3N2, Hong Kong Flu). (Yu C. H., Tsung Z. W., Ding P. L., Pei L. S., Luan Y. C., Chun Y. L., Chin Y. L., Fu Y. H., Li M. H., 2006) The latest pandemic influenza before Influenza A, H1N1 is H5N1 which we called as bird flu that attacked in year 2006. The same patterns of all these pandemic influenza are the characteristic, symptom and effect of this virus. But the level of seriousness of the pandemic influenza is different. From the research, they realize that the level of severity of this virus is increasing from the first pandemic influenza till the latest one (bird flu in 2006). The researcher predict that the new pandemic influenza that will be more severe than the bird flu because the virus can be transmitted between human to human compared to the previous which is bird flu (transmitted between poultry to human only). (Robin B. M., 2007) This statement has been proven by the existing pandemic influenza in 2009 which is swine flu, H1N1. The wide spread of the avian influenza are because of seasonality element. This is due to the virus which is transmitted via bird. The bird usually transfer from one place to another place when the change of season. That’s make the avian influenza are largely spread. (Andrew, W. P., Kathryn G., 2007) As the conclusion, from the past cases of pandemic influenza, we can predict what the characteristic of the future pandemic influenza is. If we can predict it earlier, the vaccine of the pandemic
2.2 Symptoms and effect of pandemic of pandemic influenza
The review is about the symptoms and effects of pandemic influenza. There are three articles altogether in this review and each of the article give the useful information in order to explain the related issues on symptoms and effect of the pandemic influenza. The pandemic influenza factsheet research on comparing symptoms and complications and with symptoms of the common cold. The symptoms of pandemic influenza are similarly as seasonal influenza. A guide from medical officer of health claimed that the symptoms appear suddenly and can include, muscle aches and pains, tiredness, loss of appetite, cough, sore throat and stuffy or runny nose. Depending on the new subtype that emerges, symptoms may be more severe and complications more widespread because nobody will have any immunity or protection against that particular virus. In his study of the pandemic influenza and health care demand, (T.J Hageenaars, 2004) found that effect of differences in timing of vaccination campaigns, and to study the impact of strategies in which anti viral are prescribed to certain groups up until the moment that a newly developed vaccine becomes available. Other than that, (T.J Hanegaars, 2004) revealed that there are some nonlinear effect such as the reduction of the transmission intensity that occurs when therapeutic antiviral use leads to a reduced duration of infectiousness and when the number of susceptible individuals is reduced through vaccination. On the other hand, the effect arises because immune individuals are not only unable to acquire the infection but also unable to pass it on to others. As for that, it can be said that the pandemic symptoms are serious than seasonal influenza and the effect of the disease can be more serious if the early prevention measure are not taken when the symptoms are clearly appear to the victim.
2.3 Prevention and control measures of pandemic influenza
Research conducted in the 20th century has revealed the spread of influenza is constantly increasing and is predicted to continue increasing in the near future (Sandro Cinti,2005). Pandemic preparedness has been visible accross the world. Exposure to influenza such as type A (H1N1) requires prevention and control measures. M.E. Kitler in his research on prevention and control of influenza says that, medically vaccination has been proven to be most effective to stimulate the production of antibodies and also to reduce the replication capabilities of the virus. In addition to that, extensive experience with vaccines has demonstrated that vaccines provides good protection. On the other hand (Sandor Cinti,2005) control measures such as quarantine is said to be most efffective for the moment, delaying the spred of epidemic. Wearing mask, adequate ventilation help to equally prevent influenza spread that is airborne. On the other hand, M.E. Kitler claims that early warning through pandemic surveillance around the world is most effective in achieving early prevention and protection against such spread of influenza. In addition to that, pandemic readiness based on international, national and regional planning across the in order to develop the worlds capacity to respond to the epidemics (N.J. Cox,2003). Therefore, it can be said that prevention of such deadly spread of influenza’s is much needed to sustainthe human population. Its best said that prevention is better than cure.
2.4 Malaysian government policy and reactions towards influenza
The Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia has taken some measures on preventive and control actions on the novel pandemic influenza, H1N1. Some measures such as school closure, setting up operations room for monitoring of influenza H1N1 since 26 April 2009.(MOH,2009) Government has also developed the interim guidelines on surveillance of influenza A H1N1 in Malaysia. The Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (SOEM) of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) with the collaboration of Ministry of Health(MOH) Malaysia had defined the pre-pandemic and pandemic action stage on recommedations on influenza for industry in Malaysia (MOH,SOEM, 2006). Those angencies has list down the level of influenza pandemic phase and strategic actions to be taken. This included the list of the participating designated hospitals. It is also explain the guidance provided under NIPPP for the preparedness and response needed in facing the threat of an influenza pandemic and the roles or functions of other ministries, departments and non-governmental organisations during influenza pandemic (NIPPP,2009).